7.14.2016

Aziz Ansari nabs Emmy nominations for 'Master of None'

Nominations for 2016 Primetime Emmy Awards, recognizing excellence in the television industry, were announced on Thursday morning. In a banner year for diversity on television, Aziz Ansari receive a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Master of None.

Ansari's nomination makes him the first Asian American lead series actor to be nominated for an Emmy. He joins a competitive field that includes previous nominees Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent), Anthony Anderson (black-ish), Will Forte (The Last Man on Earth) and William H. Macy (Shameless).

The critically-acclaimed, fan-favorite Netflix series also received a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series, as well as nods for both Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series and Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series for the much-lauded "Parents" episode -- written and directed by Ansari, and co-written by Alan Yang.

Co-created by Ansari and Yang, Master of None follows the everyday travails of Dev Shah, an Indian American actor navigating life, career and romance in New York City. The series premiere exclusively on Netflix last fall, receiving considerable attention for its diverse, inclusive cast and story.

Meanwhile, New Zealand actress Michelle Ang is nominated for Outstanding Actress In A Short Film Comedy or Drama Series for her role as "Alex" in Fear The Walking Dead: Flight 462.

The sixteen-part miniseries, set in the universe of AMC's hit zombie drama, premiered in one-minute interstitial installments during broadcasts of The Walking Dead and its spinoff series Fear the Walking Dead. Ang's character later appeared in season two of Fear the Walking Dead.

Winners will be announced at the 68th Emmy Awards ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 18. The show will air live on ABC.